TL;DR
Pebble has unveiled the Round 2, a slim circular smartwatch with a 1.3-inch color e-paper display and a stainless steel case. It forgoes advanced fitness sensors in favor of long battery life, ships in May for $199, and is tied to PebbleOS and the Pebble Appstore.
What happened
Pebble announced the Round 2 to coincide with CES 2026, reviving the circular form of the original Time Round while updating the hardware and software. The watch uses a 1.3-inch color e-paper display at 260 x 260 pixels housed in an 8.1mm-thick stainless steel case with a noticeably reduced bezel compared with the 2015 model. It will be offered in matte black, brushed silver and polished rose gold finishes; the silver model lets buyers choose between 14mm or 20mm lug widths, while black is 20mm only and rose gold is 14mm only. Internally the device builds on the Time 2 platform and runs PebbleOS. Pebble says development started in March 2025 and testing is nearing completion. The company positions the Round 2 as a low-power, everyday smartwatch rather than a fitness-focused device, and it will be available for preorder now with shipments slated to begin in May at a $199 price point.
Why it matters
- Revives a circular, lightweight smartwatch design not widely offered by newer Pebble-era models.
- E-paper screen plus minimal sensors aims to extend battery life compared with typical smartwatches.
- Runs PebbleOS and connects to an existing app ecosystem, offering continuity for Pebble users.
- Lower price point and long battery claims position it as an alternative to feature-heavy, higher-cost smartwatches.
Key facts
- Display: 1.3-inch color e-paper, 260 x 260 pixels.
- Case: 8.1mm thick stainless steel with a reduced bezel.
- Color options: matte black, brushed silver, polished rose gold.
- Lug widths: silver offers 14mm or 20mm; black is 20mm only; rose gold is 14mm only.
- Sensors: accelerometer and magnetometer; no heart rate sensor.
- Other inputs: two microphones for dictation and AI assistant use.
- Software and ecosystem: PebbleOS and access to the Pebble Appstore with thousands of watch faces.
- Battery: rated for up to two weeks per charge.
- Price and availability: $199, pre-orders open now, shipping begins in May.
- Development: in progress since March 2025; mechanical design borrows from the Time Round and internals from the Time 2.
What to watch next
- Shipping and delivery details after the May start date, including regional availability and retail partners.
- Pebble’s presentation and any hands-on demos at CES 2026 for further hardware and software impressions.
- Real-world battery performance under varied usage patterns (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- E-paper: A display technology that reflects ambient light and typically uses less power than OLED or LCD panels, often chosen for long battery life and daylight readability.
- Accelerometer: A sensor that measures acceleration forces and movement, commonly used for step counting and activity detection in wearables.
- Magnetometer: A sensor that detects magnetic fields, often used to determine device orientation or provide compass functionality.
- Lug width: The distance between the points where a watch strap attaches to the case; affects strap compatibility and fit.
- PebbleOS: Pebble’s operating system for its watches, described in the source as open source and the software platform for apps and watch faces.
Reader FAQ
Does the Round 2 include a heart rate monitor?
No. The watch does not have a heart rate sensor and only tracks steps and sleep.
How long does the battery last?
Pebble rates the battery life at up to two weeks on a single charge.
When can I buy one and how much does it cost?
Pre-orders are available now from Pebble’s online store; shipping begins in May and the price is $199.
Will it work with my phone?
Pebble’s companion app is available for Android and iOS, and the watch connects to the Pebble Appstore for apps and watch faces.
Is there a waterproof or swim rating?
not confirmed in the source
Pebble cuts corners in the best possible way with the Round 2 smartwatch Credit: Pebble By Andy Boxall Published 2 minutes ago Andy is a seasoned technology journalist with more than…
Sources
- Pebble cuts corners in the best possible way with the Round 2 smartwatch
- Get your new Pebble watch
- Pebble just teased a mysterious new smartwatch, and we' …
- Pebble
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